Primary tabs

Margaux Simon is a Nurse Practitioner with the Gynecology Clinic at Campus Health Services.

Simon became a nurse in 2000 after receiving an associate’s degree. She worked in labor and delivery at various locations around the country for 11 years, eventually obtaining her bachelor’s degree and graduate degree. As a Nurse Practitioner, Margaux provides specialty sexual health care and primary care for students. Specifically, she supports students with choosing and beginning contraception, menstruation issues, sexually transmitted infection screening and treatment and preventative health care.

Listening First

College is a time in people’s lives where they may become sexually active for the first time, may be more sexually active or experimenting with sexual activities. The biggest benefit of Simon as a provider? “I’m pretty easy to talk to. People end up at the end of their visit saying ‘Can I ask you another question?’ – after addressing their medical issues they have this burning question that they don’t know who to ask. I think I’m a really good listener…these are personal, really private questions that they don’t feel comfortable asking just anyone about.” Simon talked about how when she was in grad school, she came to CHS and was listened to by a provider, and how she does her best to pay that forward to her patients. Simon noted the particular importance in listening and holding space when working with survivors of abuse or assault by saying, “I am here without judgment as a support…holding space so you can heal and put yourself back together.” For survivors and any student, Simon serves as a caring provider who will validate your concerns and work with you to support your health needs.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Simon appreciates the many health disciplines in the Campus Health building. Noting the high ambition and anxiety of Carolina students, Simon relishes having Counseling and Psychological Services share a hall with Gynecology. “If I’m really worried about someone, I can actually walk a student down the hall and say ‘let’s get connected now,’” she said. That collaboration includes the primary care providers in the building as well. Providers throughout the building call each other or poke their head into an office to get support from one another. “It takes a village to raise a child…it also helps to have more than one mind thinking about the best way to approach a particular issue,” Simon said.

Health Advice for Students

When asked for health advice for students, Simon said, “Be brave. Be courageous. Ask those hard questions. Be really open with a person you decide to be sexually active with. What are you going to to prevent sexually transmitted infections? How are you going to negotiate barrier methods? What are you going to do for prevention of pregnancy?” She noted the same overall goals for those not in a heterosexual relationship – encouraging students to enjoy sexuality but in a safe way. “The goal is that both people feel comfortable, advocate for themselves, have their voices heard and feel connected.”

The advice carried over to general self-advocacy. Simon encouraged students, some of whom may have never gone to a health appointment on their own, to take charge of their health. “Recognize there’s a problem and … feel empowered to step forward and do what you need to do to take care of yourself,” she advocated.

Come See for Yourself

Simon can be found in Gynecology on the third floor of Campus Health Services.